In fact that religion is a personal business with God, people think and some do not. "What is your religion?" is which starting "small talks" usually happen in Indonesia. Foreigners may feel uncomfortable with the "small talks", but I think it depends on where they are. In the Deaf community, we almost never ask "what is your religion?" because we have seen many people have converted religions and we get to respect them. But some Deaf people do not, it depends on where they are.
I know it's sensitive but I see another side. I would never regret deciding to convert to Christianity and am unshamed as a follower of Christ in the modern era, which there is liberalist and open-minded, featuring LGBTQ, sexual orientations, atheist/ agnostics, knowing what means "freedom", etc and also radicalism and religion fanaticism that threat of freedom religion and freedom of converting religion. That's my life and decisions. There are some reasons that I would never regret deciding to be a Christian, which are:
Love
Christianity values freedom
Forgiveness and praying for persecuted, enemies, and anything I hate
My life has changed and becomes stable
Rejoice in every situation
Trust God's timing
In number one, Christianity is strongly the term which is defined as “love”. In John 15: 12, Jesus Christ commands disciples are going to love each other, and even enemies and sinners. That’s what I have felt when I meet Christian friends, they are so caring, loving, friendly, and always forgiven. They never are upset and throw out me from this community, although I was sinful. There is a quote that the most reminded is “everyone has mistakes and sinful, so should be forgiven and be recommitted to Him. We love you as a friend, family, and community," And, I was upset with them, they never be upset to me! That made me cry and felt regret. Love is part of how being a Christian identity. In the marriage relationship, God hates divorce and He commands us to love and pray to each other so will be strengthened and survive in the tough situations to the glory of Lord Jesus Christ. That's super powerful and touching!
In number two, as you know, I have had to fight for my freedom as a human being since I started joining the Deaf community. Freedom is definite as what I stand for and what I want to be. Life is given to be freedom and it as should be. I always trust that freedom will never die because freedom is by owned by the people and was born to the people. In Christianity, Jesus Christ tends to respect people who have freedom. In Galatians 5: 13, you would always be set up to be free but you should use freedom as loving and serving each other. It means you stand up for but you need to respect each other who have their freedom. And also, in 2 Corinthians 3: 17, Jesus Christ believes there is freedom. So, Christianity values everybody who has freedom. Like, if you do not want to go to church, that's okay, and your choice has been responsible, we respect you and also pray for you. This is what about valuing freedom in Christianity.
In number three, when you hate and dislike me over my decisions, I'm going to pray and still love you, forgive you despite my feeling going to be hurt. So, why? Let me explain one. As usual as what happens when you are decided to convert to Christianity, you are going to always be persecuted and shunned by the community and family you love, that has been a high risk but in Matthew 5: 44, Jesus Christ commands you to love them, give them help if they are in trouble, and even pray those who persecute you. More amazingly, in Luke 23: 34, Jesus Christ forgives them for what they do not know for what they are doing. Although He was tortured, hurt, and crucified. Doesn't that make sense? High risk and consequence but you still love, forgive, and pray for your enemies.
In number four, I was used to being upset, and punched, by reason of I was growing up in a strict environment and highly competitive. I got angry and impatient. I hate waiting to be in line and losing when I play sports games. I hate something hurt and anything I didn't like. I hate people who make irrational reasons like I would get mad when someone is late and making nonsense reasons. But, becoming a Christian and being educated on how to love each other whichever you don't really want that one, has changed my life and become stable. I learn how to be patient and try smiling at each other I meet, I learn to love what the most I hate. Although, if you say hi or smile to unknown people you meet, you would consider being weird, as it to me personally, you should do it to everyone you meet because it benefits a lot and everyone needs to feel peaceful and loved. You can see Proverbs 15: 30, the smile will help you give good news to everybody you meet and feel be healthy is also a piece of good news, feeling joyful is important, despite what it says simply.
In number five, about rejoice. I remember Vanessa's sermon said about rejoicing and peaceful every situation. The situation is may bad, unexpected, in waiting, or good but she pushed to rejoice always in every situation. Rejoice on bad days, good days, and in waiting. And, anything remains be rejoicing. And even if you are suffering, keep rejoicing. Romans 5: 1-5 is about rejoicing in suffering and hope for the glory of Lord Jesus Christ. You are going to be able to yell "REJOICE" in Philippians 4: 4.
In number six, Christianity makes sense about timing. I was always worried about my future and dream. Fear about what happens for the next and the future. In God's firsthand, I now calm down and surrender them to Him. He has prepared the best things and a good future for me but at being the right time that He has prepared. Like job, spouse, dream, etc, He has created for me. For example, ELS Computer which is next to the International English Center where the English Worship is a church that usually I spend for Him and happened the best time that ever happened in my life. He has known. Jeremiah 29: 11 becomes the fact that He has prepared the plans for you and you need to trust God's timing because God's timing is perfect and better than ours. So, let's trust God's timing! God's timing will come to you at the right time.
Christian is a community to grow up my faith, serve Christ and people, and be the good human that He has expected. A community is a church, a church is a community, that is what I meant. I want to be a Christian and follow Jesus Christ for the rest of my life. That's my deal.
I never regret deciding to be a Christian. A Christian is about to love, pray, read the Bible, praise, and spend more with God. I love spending more with Him because I can feel God's presence. I would like to serve the Deaf Christian community in the future. I wish so if God wants me to serve the Deaf Christian community and I'll go.
Thanks for reading.
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